BEST SPORTS BRA

The Best Sports Bra For Your Body Shape

The correct boulder holder is key to a great sweat session. Check out these stellar supporters

The Best Sports Bra For Your Body ShapeThe correct boulder holder is key to a great sweat session. Check out these stellar supporters

The hardest-working piece of fitness gear in your gym bag? Your sports bra! Research reveals your breasts can move as much as eight inches—up and down, side to side, and forward and backward—as you exercise.

All that bouncing can be uncomfortable or even painful. In fact, one study found that 17 percent of women who get breast pain either skipped a workout, reduced their exercise duration or intensity, or switched activities because their hooters were hurtin'.

That's why the right support is crucial, says study author Nicola Brown, Ph.D., a member of the Research Group in Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth in the U.K. Luckily, fitness brands have been paying attention. With advances in fit, support, and coverage, there's now a bra that's ideal for every cup size and activity. Here's how to find the best sports bra for your bod.

Low ImpactPilates, yoga, and floor-based workouts

"Straps that stretch or adjust will stay on your shoulders when you bend, and a clasp-free back nixes pinching," says LaJean Lawson, Ph.D., an adjunct professor at Oregon State University.